Kollel Beis Limud Hatorah is a jolly band learning together in Kiryat Sefer. The group is small, they are all fast friends, and finish mesechtot cover-to-cover.
Some wag suggested we call ourselves ‘Kollel Simchas Hachaim’ because of the
jolly atmosphere abounding in the kollel. We love jokes and a positive upbeat atmosphere. Once we had a really serious avraich. Eventually we suggested that he try his luck elsewhere…
What is the upshot of the fun and games?
1. We produce a Rebbe or mechaber sefer at a rate of one a year (and that is despite – or perhaps because of – the size of the group). We build people, in knowledge, confidence and support. We respect and empower our fellows.
4. We learn mesechtos in depth cover-to-cover at a pace of two dapim a week, full day same subject. of the same learning. (A PACE of two blatt can mean varying mileage. Your car slows down going uphill. So do we.)
5. We discuss ISSUES a lot. ‘Issues’ means current events in light of the halacha and Torah. Recently discussed were: what are our obligation towards kvarim – should they be relocated, do they have rights to their burial place and so on, what should be our attitude
towards the draft – are yeshiva boys free by virtue of their learning or not, should a person be open and conversational when talking to Hashem or does speaking with Him demand respect and awe, may one say things in prayer that are untrue but are part of the nusach, and so on. Some new hot issue crops up at least two times a week.
Someone Actually Learning…
Moishe Aharon Cohen
Any thoughts you’d like to share with me? [email protected]
We would love to meet you! We study in the Ezrat Nashim of the Beis Tfillah shul on 73 Netivot HaMishpat st., and we love visitors. We are a lively bunch, and the atmosphere is most upbeat. I’ll set you up a chavrusa for the day. Come prepared to learn as well as to laugh!
Do they look too serious to you?
True story: (I pulled it out of a mailing we did)
Chaim was a freshly married young man, raw and unsure of himself. Brown hair, blue eyes and of middle height, he looks pretty average. And he was average, or below average, in his learning level. He did not shine in any way. He joined the Kollel five years ago.
Today he has grown a beard and put on twenty pounds. And he is a successful Rebbe, in his second year, adored by his class and employer alike. He still comes to the Kollel around six o’clock to prepare lessons. On the side, he has become a successful, licensed, Mohel. I was at a bris of his just last month.
Although I’m embarrassed each time he mentions it, Chaim credits his success to the Kollel. Why? Because in the Kollel he stood up and spoke each week about the subjects being learned. He had to learn to speak to a group. And he felt among family, a close-knit group of friends supporting and cheered him on. And he still comes back, even though he does not live in the neighborhood.
We have many Chaims. We merely facilitate, providing the infrastructure for bright young men to succeed. We supported and enabled quite a few young men to become rebbes, school principals, mentors and more. Our success is when they do well.
You can be part of this too. Help support the kollel. Here is my offer; We allow you to sponsor one full day’s Torah learning for one hundred and eighty dollars. A one-time $180. You may sponsor two days for $360.
I know this sounds unreasonably cheap, so here is the breakdown: a full day’s learning @8.5 shekels/hour = 60 shekels. In dollars x kollel fellows it comes to $180/day. There is no fundraiser’s cut.
We have only eight members, so the budget is smaller, more manageable,
You may give it 1. as a zchus for a specific need, 2. or because you wish to be part of the golden chain stretching way back over the generations to Sinai, 3. or just because you want a ticket to Olam HaBah. No matter. It works!
- Learning
There are many significant causes interested in your help. However I do recommend sponsoring at least one day, – it will not hurt your other tzedakos, while gaining for you an outstanding value: A full day of Torah Study for only $180.
You must be logged in to post a comment.